Written by

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Michigan Stateís 2014 recruiting quest took an important turn during the weekend, with the decision to offer point guard Tyler Ulis.

The 5-foot-8 point guard from Chicago Heights (Ill.) Marian Catholic might be on the small side, but he is rising quickly on the recruiting scene. Heís also the cousin of former MSU guard Travis Walton.

The offer, reported by several recruiting sites, gives MSU another option for a class that will be crucial for coach Tom Izzoís program. Coaches canít comment on recruits until they sign national letters of intent, which 2014 recruits can do starting in November.

Izzo has been recruiting Tyus Jones, the consensus No. 1 point guard in the nation from Apple Valley, Minn., for years. MSU, Duke and many others are still after Jones, who will announce his decision in the fall.

But Jones could be a one-year college player before bolting for the NBA, so recruiting both players makes sense. Jones is hoping to play in college with close friend Jahlil Okafor ó a big man from Chicago Whitney Young who also is being recruited by MSU, Duke and many others.

Okafor is the No. 1 recruit in the country, according to rivals.com, and Jones is No. 3. MSU also is after No. 5 on the list, big man Cliff Alexander of Chicago Curie; No. 8 on the list, forward Kevon Looney of Milwaukee; and No. 23 on the list, shooting guard Devin Booker of Moss Point, Miss.

Ulis comes in at 69 in those rankings, but a recent scholarship offer from Florida indicates the growing buzz about his college potential. Iowa and Purdue both have offered and reportedly are very interested in Ulis, a quick point guard with strong shooting skills.

Along with Walton, a factor in MSUís favor could be incoming freshman Alvin Ellis III. Ellis, from Chicago De La Salle, played AAU ball with Ulis and considers him a close friend. Ellis said he is trying to persuade the two Chicago big men to pick MSU as well.

This is an important class because Keith Appling and Adreian Payne will be seniors next season, thereís a strong chance Gary Harris will turn pro after his sophomore season, and junior Branden Dawson also could make the jump.

Note: MSUís football opener against Western Michigan on Aug. 30 today was set as an 8 p.m. start on the Big Ten Network. It was the only MSU or Michigan game on the BTN primetime schedule released this afternoon.

Contact Joe Rexrode: 313-222-2625 or jrexrode@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @joerexrode. Check out his MSU blog at freep.com/heyjoe.